Faith. Family. Farm.

Freedom and Masterpiece Theater…

I love Masterpiece Theater!! As a matter of fact, that’s a bit of a joke in our house. It usually starts with, “Mom, are you watching ‘Pride & Prejudice’?” because surely if they have an accent it’s got to be P&P. That’s the only Jane Austen movie I’ve forced my children to sit through, presently. It’s worth mentioning, I have heard Sophie, who’s 12, actually refer to the movie as,”it’s not bad.” I feel like that’s a move in the right direction. Usually my response is an exuberant yes and they go running from the room. There is a method to the madness…

I just included this pic because I thought it was beautiful…

Masterpiece Theater /PBS have become a bit of a guilty pleasure. I look forward to Sunday nights and make sure there are no conflicts with the DVR so that I’m certain all my favs will get recorded. I love checking the DVR and seeing that my shows have recorded!! Right now, it’s Victoria the Queen and Mercy Street. I promise, I’m not being paid for this endorsement. However, I highly recommend them. I love the historical perspective they give while still being quite entertaining.

So you understand where I’m going, Mercy Street is set in Virginia during the Civil War (1860’s). I love it!! The fight for the abolishing of slavery and the civil rights movement has always drawn interest. Disclaimer, it is set in a Union hospital so there are some pretty graphic scenes of war shown throughout the show. On the other hand, Victoria the Queen is set in England during the same period of History. Slavery had just been abolished in England and America was in full force to do the same. It was not without a fight, that’s for sure. A fight for freedom! All (wo)men created equal…

Freedom…. I’ve been contemplating this idea, our freedom. Many have fought and died for our freedom as a country and a nation of people created equal. Just as Jesus gave His life for our freedom. Not just a physical freedom, but freedom from the things that hold us back, like chains. Can’t you just see the imagery? Like slaves locked in chains, we can allow ourselves to be locked in chains as well, carrying the weight of a lifetime of hurts and insecurities.

Did you know that many times after slaves were given their freedom they stayed where they were? Seems crazy, right? Why, when they were free would they choose to stay tied to their slave master?

Consider these reasons… It’s all they’ve known. It’s the place they’ve made home. While it’s not a good place, it’s familiar. They understood how to live there. Maybe, their master wasn’t that bad, maybe it was more like family than prison. I’m sure they were afraid and scared, wondered what they would have if they left.

Reminds me of an oh so familiar account in the bible about a group of people called the Israelites. They were slaves in Egypt for hundreds, yes hundreds, of years! Many generations were born there and many generations died there as well. But God, provided freedom for the Israelites, God sent Moses and 10 plagues to pay for their freedom. Amazing story (check it out in Exodus)!! Hmmm… seems like if we reflect on our history many people have found themselves captive in slavery…. The Bible even records that once the Israelites were free there came a point in their freedom they wanted to return to Egypt, the place of slavery. What in the world would compel them to want to be a slave instead of embrace their freedom?!

Why would we choose to stay in slavery when we can embrace freedom!? Freedom from mindsets, freedom from addiction, freedom from lack, freedom from abuse, freedom from fear of being free!!

I wonder… Is it fear of freedom? Like, could this be real? Hear this…Yes, it is real! Jesus paid for your freedom, from all the chains that keep you bound.

I just know there is someone reading this that can identify with the fear of being free. You’ve read it, you know it, but you just can’t seem to live it. God wants you to know He has more for you! You were worth Him sending His son to buy your freedom. Don’t live another moment in fear of your freedom. He paid it all!! No more slavery mentality! Renew your mind! Change the way you see yourself. You are no longer a slave, but you are FREE!!! Just like the Israelites, God has already provided your freedom!! Drop the chains and receive it!! Stop living like a slave and start living your Freedom!! Throw off the old slave clothes, get rid of the slave mentality and step into Freedom!!

I’ve included a list of scriptures, read them and start believing them for yourself… Put on some new clothes. Leave those slave clothes, those chains, and slave mentalities behind!! Put on your new garments, garments of freedom!

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

“I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

Jesus says, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”